The market was the President and First Lady Iriana Jokowi’s first stop after they arrived on the island at 4 p.m. local time on Wednesday.
“This is a public market. We remember how the old one was like, what the new one is like,” Widodo remarked after reviewing the new buildings.
The total funding for the market’s renovation was Rp160 billion (US$10.6 million), he informed.
“When I saw it inside, indeed the changes were so drastic. Items arrangement, arrangement of products created by artists, from MSMEs (micro, small, medium enterprises) in Bali, all of them are here,” he said.
The President visited the market with some senior government officials, including Public Works and Public Housing Minister Basuki Hadimuljono, Cabinet Secretary Pramono Anung, and Bali Governor I Wayan Koster.
He arrived at the Sukawati Art Market at 5:40 p.m. local time and was welcomed with a dance performance by students of Tampaksiring 1 State High School and Sukawati 1 State Middle School.
Some Sukawati residents also welcomed the head of state and his entourage with traditional dance and music. Widodo responded to their welcome with a smile and a wave. He also greeted the dancers.
Widodo and his entourage inspected the buildings in the market for some 15 minutes. During the inspection, the President conversed with some of the traders and also distributed staple food aid.
Afterward, he delivered a statement to the media and Sukawati residents. He ended his visit by giving away shirts with his image printed on them to people.
Thereafter, he and his entourage continued to Ubud for rest.
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